233 South Wacker Drive Suite 800, Sears Tower Chicago, IL 60606 312-454-0400 (voice) 312-454-0411 (fax) www.cmap.illinois.gov Vision Development Description, Appendix 4: September 12, 2007 visioning event In September 2007, a visioning event was held to discuss the identified key themes and begin to add detail to each theme. This event was attended by approximately 150 regional leaders and key CMAP stakeholders. At the beginning of the event, two outside speakers, historian Geoffrey Baer and designer Bruce Mau, provided perspective on the past and future of the northeastern Illinois region. During the second half of the event, the themes identified by the working committees were discussed by attendees, who were divided into twenty tables to review and suggest modifications to draft bullet points within each major theme. CMAP staff facilitators captured these inputs, which were then shown on a projection screen so that the entire room could view the results of each table’s work. Keypad polling devices were then used to let each attendee rate each theme statement. Several documents describing the visioning event and its results are attached, including the following: • A program for the event. • Blank worksheets used to collect input from attendees. • Responses to discussion questions about what the region was currently recognized for and should be recognized for in 2040. • Initial bullet points developed by each table for the major theme that was assigned to them. • Results from keypad polling for these initial bullet points and questions concerning eliminating or combining any themes. September 12, 2007 Vision for the Future Agenda | September 12, 2007 Meeting Objectives: 1. To create a dialogue about the region’s vision themes for the 2040 Regional Comprehensive Plan. 2. To begin formulating a set of vision statement’s that are specific to the northeastern Illinois region. 3. To evaluate, affirm and add to the region’s vision themes established by CMAP’s working committees. 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Registration, doughnuts and coffee 9:00 – 9:05 a.m. Welcome by the Honorable Gerald Bennett, Board Chair, CMAP 9:05 – 9:20 a.m. The 2040 Regional Comprehensive Planning Process by Randy Blankenhorn, Executive Director, CMAP 9:20 – 9:45 a.m. Why is the northeastern Illinois region unique? by Geoffrey Baer, Historian, WTTW 9:45 – 9:55 a.m. Discussion: What is northeastern Illinois currently recognized for? 9:55 – 10:20 a.m. Designing our Future: Visualizing 2040 by Bruce Mau, Creative Director, Bruce Mau Design, Inc. 10:20 – 10:50 a.m. Discussion: What will the region win an award for in 2040? 10:30 – 10:55 a.m. Discussion: Evaluating and Refining the 2040 Vision Statements 10:50 – 11:00 a.m. B R E A K 11:00 – 11:10 a.m. Prioritizing the Vision Theme Areas 11:10 – 11:30 a.m. How did we do on the Vision Statements? 11:30 – 11:55 a.m. Discussion: Refining the 2040 Vision Statements 11:55 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Closing Remarks and Next Steps by Randy Blankenhorn, CMAP 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Open Comment Period 2 Vision for the Future Introduction Metropolitan Chicago needs a long-term vision for the future to define the desired standards of prosperity and livability for its residents. With projections of an additional 2 million residents and over 1.2 million new jobs by 2040, communities across the seven-county region of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will must plan more collaboratively and comprehensively. Anticipated growth can become real progress if all stakeholders — including local governments, public agencies, developers, businesses, and especially residents — work together to define and implement a regional vision of sustainable prosperity. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is developing the region’s first truly comprehensive plan for land use and transportation. To be published in 2010, the plan will articulate a regional vision based on a number of themes that have been identified by CMAP’s working committees. These themes are: < Quality of life < Sustainability < Civic involvement < Coordinated planning and government < Economic competitiveness < Education and workforce development < Energy and resource conservation < Environmental health < Equity < Future population needs < Housing < Public health and safety < Reinvestment and infill < Transportation accessibility and efficiency < Water supply Two themes — Quality of Life and Sustainability — are broader than the rest. Each of the other 13 themes contributes to or is related to Quality of Life and Sustainability. Therefore, these two overarching themes will be given special consideration during today’s visioning event. This participatory meeting will yield the preliminary vision statement that, from Fall 2007 to Spring 2008, CMAP will use to engage stakeholders across the region. That public involvement process will yield the broader input and buy-in that will later be critical to the plan’s successful implementation. 3 Vision for the Future Themes Quality of life A. In 2040, residents of the region will enjoy a quality of life that is among the highest of any metropolitan region worldwide. B. The region will consist of livable communities with recreation opportunities, transportation choices, housing options, and access to employment, education, and other regional assets. C. Communities will have distinct identities, built on their histories, aesthetic preferences, and the unique character of their residents and businesses. D. Residents of the region will be safe, healthy, educated, and involved in their communities, regardless of age, income, ethnicity, or disability status. Sustainability A. In 2040, the region’s systems and activities will be sustainable in terms of the environment, economy, and equity, through a global approach that considers the needs of future generations. B. The region will actively mitigate the effects of its activities on climate change and will be prepared to adapt to the likely effects of climate change. C. The region’s leaders – today’s youth – will consider the externalities of their decisions on larger systems, including long-term economic competitiveness and regional equity. Civic involvement A. In 2040, residents from across the region will be heard on issues that matter to them most. B. The region will have civic involvement from people of all ethnicities, cultures, and ages, and their contributions must be respected and valued. C. Residents will have an opportunity to voice their opinions about regional issues — including health care, public safety, environmental justice, land use, and transportation planning — that contribute to livable communities. D. Residents of the region will be educated, have access to information, and have a strong sense of civic pride in their communities and region. Coordinated planning and government A. In 2040, local officials and planners from across the region will together address inter-related challenges that cut across jurisdictions and influence quality of life. B. Governments will share resources to promote efficiency and reduce destructive competition, balancing the need for economic development, a healthy environment, and equity across the region. C. Planning for transportation and other infrastructure will go hand-in-hand with land development and preservation, also recognizing links between health care, public safety, education, and social services. D. On major inter-regional issues, leaders will coordinate with their counterparts in Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and other neighboring states. 4 Vision for the Future Economic competitiveness A. In 2040, the region’s economy will enjoy a global status that ensures job opportunities at competitive wages across northeastern Illinois. B. Economic benefits will be created through planning that makes efficient use of energy and other resources and that reinvests in existing communities to enhance infrastructure, environment, public health, social equity, and cultural amenities. C. Traffic congestion will be addressed, and the region’s status as America’s intermodal and freight hub must be enhanced. D. Investments in education will prepare the region’s workforce to fill the jobs of tomorrow. Education and workforce development A. In 2040, schools will have adequate funding, with accountability in terms of school performance, fiscal efficiency, and equity across the region. B. Workforce development programs will be a central component of economic prosperity and quality of life. C. Early childhood learning opportunities will help prepare young people across the region for the challenges of their school years. D. The region’s dependence on property taxes to fund education will be reduced by exploring other funding options. Energy and resource conservation A. In 2040, the region will have effective local and regional stewardship for its extensive natural resources that require conservation. B. Energy consumption will be reduced by mixed-use developments that promote efficient transportation, with a balance of jobs and housing so residents may live nearer to where they work. C. Farmland will be viewed as an important regional resource, and its protection will be linked to conserva- tion of the region’s soil and water resources. D. Effective regional and local water-supply planning will address shortages that are projected for many parts of the region. Environmental health A. In 2040, metropolitan Chicago will build upon important steps taken in recent decades to protect the environment, including air quality, biodiversity and natural